Alexandra Burke tells Katherine MacAlister about taking on Whitney Houston’s iconic film role

Even with an X Factor win, unprecedented chart success and two record breaking albums under her snakeskin belt, Alexandra Burke had to think twice when signing up for a year as the lead in Bodyguard the musical.

It wasn’t that she didn’t have the musical range or ability, the stamina or the commitment, but amazingly she lacked the confidence.

Anyone who fell in love with her voice on X Factor and sang along to her best known single Hallelujah on the radio will find this hard to believe – her three Brit nominations back this up.

But having turned down the part of Rachel Marron two years ago, when the opportunity came around again, Alexandra wavered. “I said no a second time so my management sat me down and used reverse psychology on me; ‘We know you can’t do it. You’’ll never manage it,’ and it worked,” she grins.

Now halfway through her Whitney Houston residency, Alexandra is still going strong night after night, city after city.

She is dedicated to an extreme, shunning nights out with the rest of the cast and sticking to her strict no dairy, no alcohol diet to keep her voice at the peak of condition. “I have to be quite strict with myself,” she admits.

So what was she worried about? “Performing a musical six shows a week,” she says simply. “Last time I did singing, acting and dancing together, I was 15 and still at school.”

And how is it? “Definitely a challenge,” she says “and it’s down to the crew and cast that I have managed the transition so smoothly. I just try to be the best I can be every night, but it is tiring.”

Different to life as a solo artist? “No, that can be as intense as the touring,” she admits, “But time is going so fast and I’m really enjoying it.

“The hardest thing is not seeing my family and friends, but they know I’m working and I speak to my parents every day.”

The daughter of Soul II Soul singer Melissa Bell, Alexandra was often taken on tour with her mother, so life on the road doesn’t come as a surprise.

“My mum understands it all so can advise me on how to look after my voice because she knows exactly what it’s like,” Alexandra smiles, “which helps enormously. My family and friends help me stay strong and support me, and have always been there for me.

“But I still hadn’t quite considered what a commitment it would be at the beginning.”

Now taking it all in her stride, Alexandra is like a well-oiled machine as she takes on her idol Whitney Houston’s famous role in The Bodyguard, first on the West End stage and now around the country. “Touch wood I haven’t missed a show, apart from a tummy bug and I’m still going strong,” she said.

Does she think she would have made it anyway, without X Factor? “No, it’s all down to the show. I would not have got a record deal otherwise. X Factor has made me who I am and will always be a big part of my life.”

Not that she’s always been so self assured. Alexandra recently admitted that comments about her appearance on social media were difficult to cope with.

“It was hurtful but I am a very different person to the girl on X Factor seven years ago. I have a thicker skin now and am a stronger person, so while people are entitled to their own opinion, their comments don’t even scratch the surface. They won’t get a reaction from me anymore.”

As for the future, Alexandra, who lives in Hertfordshire, acknowledges that the music industry is a fickle one but hopes that hard work and perseverance will pay off. “You just have to work as hard as you can and stay true to who you are – unique.

“But then I never thought I would be doing theatre aged 27. It’s not something I even thought about. So while I am looking forward to getting back in the studio after the tour finishes and recording my third album, starring in The Bodyguard was an opportunity I couldn’t miss and I’m really enjoying it. I love the buzz of seeing the audiences faces.

“Singing is my life. Nothing makes me happier.”

SEE IT
Alexandra Burke stars in The Bodyguard at Oxford’s New Theatre from Tuesday 10 until Saturday 21 Nov. Call 0844 871 3020 or visit agtickets.com